Jacaranda honours DD Phiri
It was an afternoon full of joy and learning as Jacaranda Cultural Centre mounted an exhibition in honour of one of the country’s legendary writers, Desmond Dudwa Phiri.
DD Phiri, as the veteran columnist, economist and historian is known, is the author of 20 books and proprietor of Aggrey Memorial School in Blantyre.
Jacaranda Cultural Centre executive director Luc Deschamps said the exhibition came in recognition of the writer’s standing as an advocate for hard work, ambition and planning in the achievement of one’s dream.
“He needs to be recognised more in Malawi. He is an amazing contributor to the Malawi society through his columns and books, so we felt it was time that we do something here and we will keep on promoting DD Phiri as much as we can,” he said.
Phiri expressed gratitude for being honoured, saying he will forever cherish the achievement as writing is not an easy job.
“A writer is sometimes an isolated person because you can’t write in a crowd. To come here and see people cheering me is a great honour that I will not forget. They have encouraged me,” he said.
The exhibition in honour of the versatile write was spiced by live performances by Afro-soul singer CO (Code Sangala), Afrojazz star Agorosso and Dikamawoko Arts Group.
The performances climaxed when Phiri joined a Ngoni dance choreographed by Dikamawoko.
In his remarks, Malawi Writers Union (Mawu) president Mike Sambalikagwa Mvona said there is need for deserving achievers to be honoured for their contributions while they are alive.
“It is actually nonsense to award a person when he is dead. We have to come up with some strategies to honour these people like DD Phiri in a special way, including naming major streets after such great people in our society,” he said.
